Gators stay undefeated in SEC

Posted Mar 13, 2010 by Aaron Oberlin

Updated Mar 13, 2010 at 07:46 PM

Alexandre Lacroix understands pressure. He thrives under it, and his coach and teammates love knowing they have someone who can come through when they need him.

A match-clinching point rode on the Florida tennis player’s performance March 12, when he found himself facing another formidable foe in Auburn’s Tim Puetz. Lacroix won two straight sets, solidifying a 5-2 victory for No. 7 Florida (11-2, 3-0).

The junior right-hander battled in the first set against No. 26 Puetz, eventually winning 7-5. The struggle continued into the second set, where the two played on serve until the final few volleys.

Lacroix missed a match point on Puetz’s serve at 5-4, but he capitalized with the set at 6-5, winning again 7-5.

“He had some great serves,” Lacroix said. “I knew if I could put pressure on him, he might make a little mistake. From the first to the last point, that was a tough match.

“I’ve been in that situation before, so I had to use that experience and be aggressive to get the point.”

Nearly two weeks have passed since the previous time Lacroix faced a pivotal match point.

Against No. 13 Illinois, the Gators lost in doubles to start off. But they bounced back by taking two straight singles matches, giving Lacroix a chance to set up a match-winning point for his team. The Illini’s best player, No. 43 Dennis Nevolo, stood in his way.

In the second set, the two traded leads a couple times before Nevolo held a 4-3 advantage. That’s when Lacroix shifted the momentum, taking three consecutive games for a 6-4, 6-4 win. Florida beat Illinois 5-2.

Not only did the wins against Nevolo and Puetz come at crucial moments for the Gators, but they also bring Lacroix’s victory tally over top-50 opponents this season to eight.

“[Lacroix] is a guy who can play that top spot and come through when you need him. I believe he’s a top-10 player in singles and doubles,” UF coach Andy Jackson said of the No. 6 player in the nation.

Lacroix’s clutch play this year has now helped make Florida 3-0 in the Southeastern Conference.

“I thought we played really well today,” Jackson said. “Auburn showed that they’re making a lot of progress, and I think this will help us going into Sunday’s match against Alabama.”

The Gators play host to the Crimson Tide on March 14. After that, they welcome No. 19 Florida State on March 17 before heading back into conference play March 21 against Mississippi St.